Chief Osondu Nwoye Biography
Chief Osondu Nwoye was a Nigerian businessman and philanthropist who resided in Côte d’Ivoire. He was regarded as one of the wealthiest Igbo businessmen in Africa.
He died on February 8, 2024, after collapsing while watching the Nigeria vs. South Africa match at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2024.
He was also known for his generosity and support for the youths, the aged, the widows, and the less privileged in his community of Amanuke in Anambra state. He is survived by his wife, Ngozi, and his children.
Chief Osondu Nwoye State Of Origin
Chief Osondu Nwoye is originally from Anambra State, Nigeria.
Chief Osondu Nwoye Age
Cheif Osundu was 53 years old when he died.
Chief Osondu Nwoye Early Life and Education
Chief Osondu Nwoye was born on June 15, 1970, in Amanuke, a town in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria. He was the third child and the only son of his parents, who were farmers and traders. He grew up in a humble and hardworking family, and learned the values of honesty, integrity, and generosity from an early age.
He attended St. John’s Primary School in Amanuke, where he showed great interest and aptitude in mathematics and science. He was a brilliant and diligent student, who always topped his class and won several academic awards and scholarships. He proceeded to Awka High School, where he excelled in his secondary education and graduated with flying colors in 1987.
He gained admission into the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he studied Electrical Engineering. He was a leader and an innovator, who participated in various clubs and societies, and initiated several projects and inventions.
He graduated with a first-class honors degree in 1992, and was offered a scholarship to pursue his master’s degree at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States of America.
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Chief Osondu Nwoye Career
After completing his master’s degree at MIT in 1994, Chief Osondu Nwoye returned to Nigeria and joined the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) as an electrical engineer. He worked there for two years, during which he gained valuable experience and exposure in the oil and gas sector. He also met his wife, Ngozi, who was a fellow engineer at NNPC.
In 1996, he resigned from NNPC and ventured into entrepreneurship. He established Osondu Group, a conglomerate of companies with interests in oil and gas, telecommunications, real estate, hospitality, and agriculture. He started with a modest capital, but soon expanded his business empire across Nigeria and beyond. He was one of the first Nigerian businessmen to invest in Côte d’Ivoire, where he established a strong presence and reputation.
He was also a visionary and a pioneer in the field of renewable energy. He founded Osondu Solar, a company that specialized in providing solar power solutions to rural and urban communities in Nigeria and other African countries.
He was passionate about addressing the energy crisis and promoting sustainable development in Africa. He partnered with several local and international organizations, such as the African Development Bank (AfDB), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the World Bank, to implement various solar projects and initiatives.
He was not only a successful businessman, but also a generous philanthropist. He founded the Osondu Foundation, a non-governmental organization that focused on empowering the youths, the aged, the widows, and the less privileged in his community of Amanuke and beyond.
He provided scholarships, grants, loans, and mentorship to thousands of students and entrepreneurs. He also built schools, hospitals, roads, and other infrastructures in his hometown and other parts of Anambra state. He was a role model and a benefactor to many people, who admired and appreciated his kindness and humility.
Chief Osondu Nwoye Wife and Children
Chief Osondu Nwoye was married to Ngozi Nwoye, who was also an engineer at NNPC. They had children, but their names and number are not mentioned in the sources. They lived in Côte d’Ivoire, where Chief Osondu Nwoye had a successful business empire.
Chief Osondu Nwoye’s Death
Chief Osondu Nwoye’s death was a tragic and shocking event that occurred on Wednesday, February 8, 2024, while he was watching the Nigeria vs. South Africa match at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2024 in Côte d’Ivoire
According to the news reports, he collapsed inside the stadium after the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) cancelled a goal scored by Nigerian striker Victor Osihmen and awarded a penalty to South Africa. He was rushed to the hospital, but he could not be revived and was pronounced dead.
Chief Osondu Nwoye Net Worth
Chief Osondu Nwoye’s net worth was estimated to be in around $13 million.
